Elder Joe Quinn saw that Elder Aurora Qing had spoken, but he still felt uneasy and said, "Junior sister, didn't we agree on this back then?"
"Senior brother, this is Lora Locke's future. She should decide it herself. Since she has her own thoughts, let her choose," Elder Aurora Qing said.
Elder Joe Quinn, unable to lose his temper with so many people present, still said something unpleasant: "Junior sister, if you've really decided this, then I have nothing more to say. But don't forget, Sean Shaw still has the right to choose Lora Locke, and Lora Locke will have to agree unconditionally."
"What do you mean?" Elder Aurora Qing was shocked.
"That's right. I'll apply to the Elders' Council. Don't blame me for being ruthless then. I'm leaving." Elder Joe Quinn snorted coldly.
Lora Locke sensed something was off from Elder Joe Quinn's tone, so she asked curiously, "Master, what is martial uncle planning to do?"
"The Trial of Gates," Elder Aurora Qing replied.
"Trial of Gates? What does that mean?" Lora Locke seemed not to understand and asked curiously.
"The so-called Trial of Gates is a unique tradition of our Blue Robe Sect. When a male disciple is interested in a female disciple, he can apply to the Elders' Council for a Trial of Gates. If he passes all the gates, and finally wins against the chosen woman herself, then she must unconditionally become his partner," Elder Aurora Qing explained. "What?" Lora Locke reacted as if she had been shocked, her face full of fear. She knew Sean Shaw's strength—if he really succeeded in the Trial of Gates, she'd be in trouble.
Sigh, it seems even your master can't help you now. But I can lend you a few people," Elder Aurora Qing said.
"Lend what people? Master, what exactly is going on?" Lora Locke's mind was blank at this moment. "Don't worry. If you really don't want to choose him, your master can help by lending you some people. But after that, it'll be up to you all," Elder Aurora Qing said.
"What does lending people have to do with it?" Lora Locke asked curiously.
"It matters. Sean Shaw wants to attempt the Trial of Gates, and you are the one setting up the gates. That means you can pick five people with cultivation equal to or lower than Sean's, but not higher, to act as gatekeepers. If he wins all five, he passes, and the sixth gate is you," Elder Aurora Qing explained.
"Lend five people? But among peers in the sect, Senior Brother Sean is the most talented, especially since he's been at the Immortal Lord stage for many years." At this point, Lora Locke was feeling frustrated. Even if she borrowed people from the sect, she couldn't find five elites at that level.
Elder Aurora Qing understood what Lora Locke meant, but there was nothing she could do. She could only sigh, "This is an unwritten rule of the sect, all set up for the sake of that cultivation technique or whatever."
"Master, I don't want to," Lora Locke shook her head, looking especially powerless.
Evan Yang, Hannah Nolan, and Chase Carter quickly understood the whole situation. So someone wanted Lora Locke to become his partner, but Lora clearly didn't agree and was feeling helpless.
On the side, Lynn Qing shook her head helplessly and said, "Senior sister, Lora, actually, if you want to win, there's still a real chance—but it depends on whether that person is willing to help you."
Both Elder Aurora Qing and Lora Locke looked at Lynn Qing, especially Lora Locke, who seemed to have heard some good news.
"Martial aunt, tell me quickly, what's the solution?" Lora Locke asked excitedly.
"The solution is to let this guy join the Blue Robe Sect. Once he's one of us, it's fine—after all, his strength is so high," Lynn Qing said with a smile.
The whole room went quiet and looked at Evan Yang. Evan also realized Lora Locke was in trouble, so he smiled and said, "If this can help, then I accept."
"Really? That's great!" Lora Locke exclaimed in delight.
Elder Aurora Qing hadn't thought of this method, so she smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll welcome you on behalf of the Blue Robe Sect. Since our branch doesn't accept male disciples, I'll introduce you to another elder."
"Introduce me to my branch then," Chase Carter suddenly spoke up. He really wanted to be with his master.
Evan Yang was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Alright, that works."
"Which branch are you in?" Elder Aurora Qing asked curiously.
"The Violet Storm Branch," Chase Carter replied.
"Violet Storm? That crazy one?" Elder Aurora Qing asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, that's what everyone calls him," Chase Carter replied.
"Alright, I'll take you over now," Elder Aurora Qing said, then led everyone away. Lynn Qing could only stay behind, unable to join in.
On the way, Chase Carter kept bragging about what kind of person Mad Elder was, and how he drank wine and said all sorts of strange things.
The more Evan Yang listened, the more this person sounded like someone he used to know. But he didn't think much about any connection between the two, and just followed Elder Aurora Qing to Chase Carter's branch.
A bare, barren mountain stood in stark contrast to the lush, green one from before.
"Why is your branch like this?" Hannah Nolan couldn't help but ask curiously.
"I asked my master before, and he said we should focus on cultivation and not bother with all those random trees," Chase Carter replied awkwardly.
"I think it's just laziness," Elder Aurora Qing sighed.
Chase Carter's face turned even redder. He knew what his master really meant—it was pretty much the truth.
"Alright, you all wait here. I'll go call that old guy," Elder Aurora Qing said.
Lora Locke and the others nodded and waited there, while Elder Aurora Qing flashed away.
Inside a cave, Elder Aurora Qing found Mad Elder, who was savoring his wine in drunken bliss. She sighed and said, "Senior brother, today I've brought you someone. He's truly exceptional and could be your disciple."
"My disciple? Aurora, you know I don't like taking disciples. If it weren't for that trip to Flowcloud Star, I wouldn't even want to stay here," Mad Elder replied.
"Senior brother, this time is different. He's absolutely outstanding. If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself," Elder Aurora Qing insisted. She knew that if Evan joined, he could help Lora Locke, so she had to persuade Mad Elder to accept Evan as a disciple.
"Aurora, I've met plenty of people. If you want to talk about exceptional, there's only one in the world. But that kid isn't here," Mad Elder said.
"Oh? What kind of person?" Elder Aurora Qing asked curiously.
"Hard to say. It was years ago. Anyway, don't bother me. Let me keep drinking. I was just dreaming," Mad Elder muttered.
"Senior brother, I beg you. This is urgent," Elder Aurora Qing pleaded.
Seeing Elder Aurora Qing so anxious, Mad Elder became curious. "What's so urgent?"
Elder Aurora Qing explained Lora Locke's situation. When Mad Elder finished listening, he laughed, "Oh? Joe Quinn really said that? Then I want to see if this kid is as impressive as you claim."
When Mad Elder stood up, Elder Aurora Qing was delighted and led him outside to where Evan Yang and the others were waiting.
When Evan Yang saw Mad Elder's appearance, he was utterly stunned. "Him? It's him!"
Still in disbelief, Evan Yang rubbed his eyes, then grew excited. The others naturally noticed, looking at him in confusion—they felt Evan was even more excited than Lora Locke.
As Mad Elder arrived, he swept his gaze over the group, finally stopping on Evan Yang. "So you're the outstanding disciple Aurora mentioned?"
Seeing that Mad Elder was still just as he used to be—always reeking of wine—Evan Yang didn't immediately admit it, planning to play along first. He smiled and said, "That's me."
"The ninth-tier Heavenly-Immortal who defeated an early Immortal Lord? That was you?" Mad Elder asked.
"Yes, it was," Evan Yang replied.
"That certainly qualifies you as an outstanding disciple. But I don't really like taking disciples. Leave," Mad Elder said.
Mad Elder's sudden rejection shocked everyone present, and Lora Locke was especially anxious. "Martial uncle, please help!"
"Helping won't change anything. I don't want to take on so many disciples. Even if he's outstanding, so what?" Mad Elder sighed helplessly, then turned to leave.
Evan Yang was puzzled—what was wrong with him, for Mad Elder to say such things?